Local News

Brown Signs Bill Boosting Sacramento Arena Plans

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill intended to help plans for building an NBA arena in downtown Sacramento by accelerating the review process of lawsuits filed against it.

The bill signed Friday, SB743, will affect lawsuits filed under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Easing the way for a new arena was part of Sacramento's pitch to the NBA earlier this year in its effort to keep the Kings from moving to Seattle.

The bill by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento also includes several provisions intended to help urban development projects throughout California that might face environment-related lawsuits.

Brown also signed AB1273, which would assist the Golden State Warriors in their plan to move the team from Oakland to a possible waterfront arena in San Francisco.